Will Fuller
refer to caption
Fuller with the Texans in 2016
Personal information
Born: (1994-04-16) April 16, 1994
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:184 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High school:Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)
College:Notre Dame (2013–2015)
Position:Wide receiver
NFL Draft:2016 / Round: 1 / Pick: 21
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Receptions:213
Receiving yards:3,136
Return yards:345
Rushing yards:6
Total touchdowns:25
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

William Vincent Fuller V (born April 16, 1994) is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, earning second-team All-American honors in 2015. He was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Fuller has also played for the Miami Dolphins.

High school career

One of five siblings (he has four sisters), Fuller attended Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he played high school football for the Cahillites.[1][2][3] As a senior in 2012, Fuller was named the MVP of the Philadelphia Catholic League 4A.[4]

Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Fuller was rated as the 19th best wide receiver prospect of his class.[5] He originally committed to play college football at Penn State on June 3, 2012, after receiving a scholarship offer while on a visit at the school.[6] However, Fuller would go on to switch his commitment to Notre Dame on August 5, 2012.[7]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Will Fuller
WR
Philadelphia, PA Roman Catholic HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 168 lb (76 kg) Aug 5, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 73
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 22 (WR), 3 (PA), 3 (regional), 179 (national)   Rivals: 19 (WR), 7 (PA), 176 (national)  ESPN: 31 (PA)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Notre Dame Football Commitment List". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  • "Notre Dame College Football Recruiting Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  • "2013 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 27, 2015.

College career

Fuller played sparingly as a freshman at Notre Dame, catching only six passes. He scored his first touchdown on a 47-yard pass from Tommy Rees against Air Force on October 26, 2013. Fuller recorded two receptions for 93 yards in that game, averaging 46.5 yards per catch.[8]

Fuller emerged as a starter his sophomore year following an impressive off-season, following that up by having a breakout season for the Irish.[9] He recorded 76 receptions for 1,094 yards with 15 touchdowns, tying Golden Tate for the school single season record. Fuller's 15 touchdowns were tied for third in FBS, behind Colorado State's Rashard Higgins and Alabama's Amari Cooper.[10] In a game against Northwestern, Fuller had nine receptions for 159 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs. Following the season, he was recognized as an honorable mention All-American by Sports Illustrated.[11]

Fuller started off his junior season with two touchdowns on seven receptions for 142 yards against Texas. In the next game against the Virginia Cavaliers, Fuller caught five passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown pass with 12 seconds left from DeShone Kizer.[12] He had six receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown against Georgia Tech in Notre Dame's third game of the season, a 30–22 victory.[13] Against USC, Fuller recorded three receptions for 131 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown to beat USC by a score of 41–31. At Pitt, he had seven receptions for 152 yards and three touchdowns, leading to 42–30 victory.[14] Fuller's three touchdowns allowed him to surpass both Golden Tate and Jeff Samardzija on the career touchdown list with 28, leaving him only second behind Michael Floyd's 37. Fuller caught six passes for 113 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown, in a losing effort against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Fuller finished the season with 62 catches and a career-high 1,258 yards with 14 touchdowns. He was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press.[15]

On January 3, 2016, Fuller announced he would forgo his senior year and enter the 2016 NFL Draft.[16] He finished his Notre Dame career with 144 receptions for 2,512 yards (17.4 avg) and 30 touchdowns.[17]

Collegiate statistics

NCAA career statistics
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Season Team Receiving
RecYdsAvgLngTDY/G
2013Notre Dame 616026.147112.3
2014Notre Dame 761,09414.4751584.2
2015Notre Dame 621,25820.3811496.8
Career1442,51217.4813064.4

Professional career

At the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, Fuller ran the 40-yard dash in an official time of 4.32 seconds, which was the best time among wide receivers.[18]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 0+18 in
(1.83 m)
186 lb
(84 kg)
30+34 in
(0.78 m)
8+14 in
(0.21 m)
4.32 s1.51 s2.51 s4.27 s6.93 s33+12 in
(0.85 m)
10 ft 6 in
(3.20 m)
10 reps
All values from NFL Combine[19][20]

Houston Texans

Fuller was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round with the 21st overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.[21] He was the second wide receiver taken in the 2016 NFL Draft, only behind Baylor's Corey Coleman, who went to the Cleveland Browns with the 15th overall pick.[22]

2016 season

In his first NFL game against the Chicago Bears on September 11, 2016, Fuller had five receptions (on 11 targets from quarterback Brock Osweiler) for 107 yards and a touchdown as the Texans won by a score of 23–14.[23] In the next game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had 104 receiving yards on four receptions, including a juggled catch for 53 yards, in the 19–12 victory.[24] Two weeks later, Fuller returned a punt for a 67-yard touchdown in a 27-20 victory over the Tennessee Titans. In doing so, he became the first player in franchise history to record a punt return touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the same game (as he had a touchdown reception earlier in the game).[25]

In his rookie season, Fuller had 47 receptions for 635 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 13 returns for 196 yards and a touchdown in 14 games and 13 starts.[26] The Texans finished atop the AFC South with a 9-7 record and were the #4 seed in the playoffs.[27] On January 7, 2017, Fuller made his postseason debut against the Oakland Raiders in the Wild Card Round. He had four receptions for 37 yards in a 27–14 victory.[28] In the Divisional Round against the eventual Super Bowl LI Champion New England Patriots, Fuller caught three passes for 16 yards in the 34–16 road loss.[29]

2017 season

On August 2, 2017, during training camp, Fuller suffered a broken collarbone and was expected to be out 2–3 months.[30] On September 27, 2017, he was upgraded to full participation in the Texans' practice.[31]

Fuller made his season debut during a Week 4 57–14 victory over the Tennessee Titans, catching four passes for 35 yards and two touchdowns to go along with a four-yard rush.[32] In the next game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he had two receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown and rushed for five yards in the 42–34 loss.[33] The following week, Fuller recorded two receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown as the Texans defeated the Cleveland Browns by a score of 33–17.[34] After a Week 7 bye, the Texans went on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks. In that game, Fuller caught five passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns as the Texans narrowly lost by a score 41–38.[35]

Fuller finished his second professional season with 28 receptions for 423 yards and seven touchdowns to go along with nine returns for 135 yards in 10 games and starts.[36]

2018 season

Fuller missed the season-opener at the New England Patriots with a hamstring injury, which the Texans lost 27–20.[37] He made his season debut in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans as the second receiver on the Texans' depth chart.[38] In that game, Fuller recorded eight receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown in the 20–17 road loss.[39] In the next game, he had another solid outing with five receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown as the Texans lost to the New York Giants by a score of 27-22.[40] The following week, Fuller notched his third consecutive game with a touchdown in a 37–34 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts, finishing with four receptions for 49 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.[41]

During a Week 8 42–23 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Fuller had five receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown before leaving in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.[42] It was later revealed that he tore his ACL, prematurely ending his season.[43][44] Fuller finished the season with 32 receptions for 503 yards and four touchdowns in seven games and starts.[45] Without Fuller, the Texans finished atop the AFC South with an 11–5 record and lost to the Colts in the Wild Card Round by a score of 21–7.[46][47]

2019 season

On April 26, 2019, the Texans picked up the fifth-year option on Fuller's contract.[48]

Fuller returned from his injury in time for the season-opener against the New Orleans Saints, recording two receptions for 69 yards in the narrow 30–28 road loss.[49] During a Week 5 53–32 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, he had 14 receptions for 217 yards and three touchdowns, marking the first time in his NFL career with over 200 receiving yards in a game.[50] During a Week 12 20-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Fuller had seven receptions for 140 yards.[51][52]

Fuller finished the 2019 season with 49 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games and starts.[53] The Texans finished atop the AFC South with a 10–6 record and were the #4 seed in the playoffs.[54] In the Divisional Round against the Kansas City Chiefs, Fuller had five receptions for 89 yards as the Texans lost on the road by a score of 51–31 despite having a 24–0 lead in the second quarter.[55]

2020 season

In the offseason, Fuller's teammate DeAndre Hopkins was traded to the Arizona Cardinals, making Fuller the Texans' number-one wide receiver.[56]

During the season-opening 34-20 road loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Fuller had eight receptions for 112 yards.[57] Three weeks later against the Minnesota Vikings, he caught six passes for 108 yards and a touchdown during the 31–23 loss. Late in the fourth quarter on a fourth down play, Fuller appeared to catch a touchdown pass to potentially tie the game that was reversed upon further review.[58] Two weeks later against the Tennessee Titans, he had six receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown in the 42–36 overtime road loss.[59] During a Week 9 27-25 road victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Fuller had five receptions for 100 yards and a 77-yard touchdown.[60] Three weeks later against the Detroit Lions, he recorded six receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns in the 41–25 road victory.[61] On November 30, Fuller was suspended six games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He missed the last five games of the 2020 season and missed the first game of the 2021 NFL season.[62] In 11 games and starts, Fuller finished the season with 53 receptions for 879 yards and eight touchdowns, which were all career highs.[63]

Miami Dolphins

On March 20, 2021, Fuller signed a one-year, $10.6 million contract with the Miami Dolphins.[64] He suffered a broken thumb in Week 4 and was placed on injured reserve on October 6, 2021.[65] Fuller was absent from the team's facilities after his injury and informed after the season ended that the team would not re-sign him. He has not played in the NFL since his injury, missing all of the 2022 season and is not signed with any team during the 2023 campaign.

NFL career statistics

Regular season statistics
Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Returning Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDRetYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2016HOU 14134763513.55321−3−3.0−301319615.167120
2017HOU 10102842315.159T7294.550913515.049000
2018HOU 773250315.773T4000.000000.00000
2019HOU 11114967013.7543000.000000.00010
2020HOU 11115387916.677T8100.0002147.013000
2021MIA 204266.5100000.000000.00000
Career55522133,13613.577T24461.5502434514.467130
Postseason statistics
Year Team Games Receiving Rushing Returning Fumbles
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDRetYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2016HOU 227537.6190000.00034615.018000
2018HOU 00did not play due to injury
2019HOU 1158917.8390000.000000.00000
Career331214211.8390000.00034615.018000

References

  1. Fortuna, Matt (October 30, 2015). "For Philly native Will Fuller, showdown with Temple a dream come true". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  2. Robertson, Dale (April 29, 2016). "10 things you need to know about Will Fuller". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  3. Vorel, Mike (October 25, 2015). "Surging WR Will Fuller represents Philadelphia at Notre Dame". South Bend Tribune. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  4. "Now at Notre Dame, Roman Catholic grad Will Fuller a star". RSN. October 30, 2015. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  5. "William Fuller profile". Yahoo! Sports. April 20, 2011. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  6. Jones, Ben (June 3, 2012). "Philly Receiver Will Fuller Commits to Nittany Lions". statecollege.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  7. Moyer, Josh (August 5, 2012). "Will Fuller decommits from Penn State Nittany Lions, picks Notre Dame Fighting Irish". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  8. "Notre Dame vs. Air Force – Game Summary – October 26, 2013". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  9. "Notre Dame wide receiver Will Fuller's star is on a lightning-fast rise". Elkhart Truth. September 10, 2014. Archived from the original on September 13, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  10. "2015 FBS (I-A) College Football Individual Statistics Leaders for Receiving". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  11. Blazek, Nicholas D. (December 19, 2014). "Notre Dame's Will Fuller All-American Honorable Mention". Slap The Sign. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  12. "No. 9 Notre Dame beats Virginia 34–27 on last-second TD pass". HeraldNet.com. Associated Press. September 12, 2015. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  13. "Prosise scores 3 TDs as Irish shut down Ga. Tech". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 19, 2015. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  14. Lesar, Al (November 7, 2015). "Will Fuller scores thrice in Notre Dame victory over Pitt". Notre Dame Insider. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  15. Paone, Greg (January 3, 2016). "Philly native and ND star WR Will Fuller declares for NFL draft". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  16. Reineking, Jim (January 3, 2016). "Notre Dame's Will Fuller will enter 2016 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  17. "William Fuller College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  18. Vowles, Joshua (February 27, 2016). "Will Fuller Runs 4.32 40 Yard Dash At The NFL Combine". Slap the Sign. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  19. "2016 NFL Draft Profile: Will Fuller". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2009. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  20. "*Will Fuller – Notre Dame, WR: 2016 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". draftscout.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  21. Ganguli, Tania (April 28, 2016). "Texans select Will Fuller in first round of 2016 NFL Draft". ESPN.com. ESPN. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  22. "2016 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  23. Patra, Kevin (September 11, 2016). "Texans' revamped offense flashes in win over Bears". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  24. "Fuller makes juggling catch for 53-yard reception". Sports Illustrated. September 18, 2016. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  25. DaSilva, Cameron (November 15, 2016). "Watch Texans rookie Will Fuller return a punt 67 yards for a TD". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  26. "Will Fuller 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  27. "2016 Houston Texans Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  28. "Wild Card – Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans – January 7th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  29. "Divisional Round – Houston Texans at New England Patriots – January 14th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  30. Orr, Conor (August 2, 2017). "Texans WR Will Fuller breaks his collarbone in practice". NFL.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  31. Sidhu, Deepi (September 27, 2017). "Fuller upgraded to full participant in practice". Houston Texans. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  32. Dougherty, Drew (October 2, 2017). "Will Fuller returns with bang, helps boost offense". Houston Texans. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  33. "Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans – October 8th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  34. "Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans – October 15th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  35. "Houston Texans at Seattle Seahawks – October 29th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  36. "Will Fuller 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  37. "Texans' Will Fuller: Out Sunday". CBSSports.com. September 9, 2018. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  38. "Houston Texans Depth Chart Archive". ourlads.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  39. Wilson, Aaron (September 17, 2018). "Texans wide receiver Will Fuller excels in loss to Titans". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  40. Dougherty, Drew (September 23, 2018). "Will Fuller, V notches 100-yd, 1 TD game in loss to Giants". Houston Texans. Archived from the original on October 5, 2018. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  41. "Texans end losing streak with 37–34 win over Colts in OT". KRIV. September 30, 2018. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  42. "Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans – October 25th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  43. Teope, Herbie (October 26, 2018). "Texans' Will Fuller done for season with torn ACL". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 26, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  44. Barshop, Sarah (October 26, 2018). "Texans lose WR Will Fuller for season with torn ACL". ESPN.com. ESPN. Archived from the original on October 27, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  45. "Will Fuller 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  46. "2018 Houston Texans Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  47. "Wild Card – Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – January 5th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 22, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  48. Alper, Josh (April 26, 2019). "Texans exercise 2020 option on Will Fuller's contract". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  49. "Lutz's 58-yard field goal lifts Saints over Texans, 30–28". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 9, 2019. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  50. Barshop, Sarah (October 6, 2019). "Texans' Fuller explodes for 217 yards, 3 TDs". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  51. Starr, Patrick (November 22, 2019). "Texans Will Fuller Wants to "Put Fear" in Defensive Backs Hearts". SI.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  52. "Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans – November 21st, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 4, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  53. "Will Fuller 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  54. "2019 Houston Texans Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  55. "Divisional Round – Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs – January 12th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  56. Patra, Kevin (March 16, 2020). "Stunner: Texans trade DeAndre Hopkins to Cardinals". nfl.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  57. "Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs – September 10th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  58. "Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans – October 4th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  59. "Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans - October 18th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  60. "Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars - November 8th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  61. Kerr, Jeff (November 26, 2020). "Lions vs. Texans score: Deshaun Watson tosses four touchdowns in Thanksgiving debut as Houston routs Detroit". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  62. Sullivan, Tyler (November 30, 2020). "Texans' Will Fuller suspended six games for PED violation, receiver offers explanation in social media post". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  63. "Will Fuller 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  64. "Miami Dolphins Sign WR William Fuller V". MiamiDolphins.com. March 20, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  65. "Roster Moves: Miami Dolphins Place Fuller on Injured Reserve". MiamiDolphins.com. October 6, 2021. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.